I can’t believe it’s already been a month since the annual Abbott’s Magic Get-Together and our performance on the Saturday matinee. As you may have guessed, we survived. Actually the end of our act felt more like a food fight! I’ll get back to that.

The Get-Together is always a fun time. I, of course, am part of the legendary Abbott’s Stage Crew, and this year the stage crew took over the matinee show. That’s right: we did the show while other volunteers ran the lights, the sound and the curtains. Let’s just say that can lead to a bit of chaos.

In order to keep ahead of schedule we loaded our props in late Friday after the evening show. It had already been long day, but we stayed until after midnight getting the props ready for the next day’s show. This would be one less thing for me to worry about… and I could sleep in.

I knew coming into this situation that we had to be well prepared. As you may have read in my previous articles, I had done my homework. Because this was an away gig and on a limited budget, it was only Valerie and myself that knew exactly what was going on in the act. Everyone else had to go by my notes and instruction. Because of the full schedule on Saturday, there wasn’t even a rehearsal. There simply was no time, and that can really make or break a show. We pulled it off with a lot of help from my friends, especially my little buddy Blade that really stepped up to the plate. Backstage he moved the props in place, worked our special lighting, fog and confetti. I could tell he was a bit nervous, but I know he wanted to do his best for me. The air was thick in the auditorium and I told him to be very careful with the fog. I told him “less is more!” as I was slipping into my leather vest, arm bands, choker and leather boots.

As soon as I was introduced the crowd went wild, you could feel the energy all the way up on stage. Let me tell you, there is nothing like that. It goes right through you. We performed Lightbulbs Thru Girl, the Khyber Kobra, the Origami Box, Flexible Glass, Audience Acupuncture and Modern Art… all in about fifteen minutes. There were only a few small glitches but, that is to be expected considering the situation. We finished covering the stage in a shower of confetti. The surprise ending came when my good friend Franz Harary shouted “Twinkies Now!” Well that was the signal to throw the Twinkies he had previously passed out before my act. From the darkness I saw dozens of Twinkies hit the stage. I couldn’t help but join in the fun and threw some right back at the crowd. I think everyone left with a smile that afternoon… including myself!